Scroll TikTok or Instagram for five minutes and you'll see it, that tiny watercolor kit everyone's obsessed with. The one that somehow makes painting look stupidly easy.
Tobio's Watercolor Kit claims it'll turn anyone into an artist. No giant supply boxes, no complicated nonsense, just grab it and paint wherever. But is it legit, or just riding the viral wave?
We hauled this thing around for weeks, trains, parks, even a windy beach - to give you the real story. What we found: it's genuinely beginner-friendly, built better than expected, and backed by a 60-day money-back guarantee that kills any "what if I waste my money" anxiety.
Here's everything before you buy.
What Is Tobio's Watercolor Kit?
Tobio's Watercolor Kit is an all-in-one, pocket-sized watercolor set for people who want to paint anywhere without dragging traditional supplies around.
Everything fits in your pocket. Actually.
It's built for total beginners who've never held a paintbrush AND artists who want mess-free travel painting. The kit includes a digital guide walking you through basic techniques, so you're not frozen staring at blank paper.
No sink needed. No clunky palette boxes. No intimidating setup making you say "I'll paint later."
Full product details live on the Tobio's Watercolor Kit page, but here's what makes this watercolor kit review different from standard sets.
What's Included in the Box
Open the box and you get:
- Mini wooden palette (real walnut wood, magnetic closure)
- Student-grade watercolor pigments (pre-loaded in palette)
- 4 water brushes (different sizes/shapes, no cup required)
- Cotton watercolor notebook (20 pages, quality paper)
- Mini painting board with clip (secures everything while painting)
- Digital technique guide (emailed post-purchase with beginner tutorials)
Everything clips into one compact unit sliding into your pocket or bag. When we say portable, we mean it.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Size | Actually pocket-sized – we fit it in every jacket we tried |
| Setup Time | 30 seconds max, usually faster |
| Cleaning | Water brushes mean zero cup rinsing |
| Colors | Student-grade but bright, blend surprisingly well |
| Price | $35.99 right now |
| Best For | First-timers, people who travel, gift shopping |
| Guarantee | Full 60 days to decide if you like it |
Traditional watercolor sets? You're buying palettes separately, then brushes, then cups, then paper. Tobio's bundles it all and cuts out the annoying parts.
Our In-Depth Hands-On Review
We didn't unbox this and call it done. We tested it in multiple real scenarios to see if it actually works as advertised.
What happened:
On a train: Pulled it out mid-commute, clipped palette to notebook, painted a quick landscape through the window. Zero mess. Nobody stared. Felt like a secret creative moment in public.
At a beach: Set up on a blanket while friends swam. The magnetic clip kept the palette secure even with wind. Water brushes didn't leak or dry out in sun.
In a coffee shop: Probably most common use. Ordered a drink, sat by window, painted for 15 minutes while waiting. The kit's so subtle it didn't feel performative or awkward.
One thing from Reddit threads and reviews: some say paints dry quickly or feel "chalky." Yeah, but only if you skip properly wetting them first. Get your water-to-paint ratio right and the colors go on creamy and bold.
The digital guide explains this, but you'll probably mess up once or twice before getting it. Not a big deal.
Ease of Setup and Use
This is where Tobio's shines.
Traditional watercolor kits require:
- Finding flat surface
- Setting up palette
- Filling water cup
- Laying out brushes
- Preparing paper
Tobio's setup:
- Attach palette to notebook with magnetic clip
- Wet your brush
- Start painting
That's it. Entire process takes under 30 seconds.
The digital guide's got video walkthroughs for wet-on-wet, layering, blending, the basics. Never touched a paintbrush? The tutorials hold your hand through your first tries without being annoying about it.
We gave the kit to friends who'd never used watercolors. They were painting recognizable landscapes within 20 minutes. That says something.
Paint Quality and Performance
Honesty time: these are student-grade pigments, not professional artist-quality paints.
What that means:
- Colors are vibrant enough for beginners and hobbyists
- They blend well when activated properly
- They won't have same depth or permanence as high-end brands like Winsor & Newton or Daniel Smith
What we noticed:
- Creamy texture when properly hydrated
- Good color payoff without needing multiple layers
- Slight streaking if you don't use enough water (common beginner mistake)
For the price and purpose, paint quality is more than acceptable. If you're painting for fun, journaling, or travel sketches, you won't feel limited.
Professional illustrators needing archival pigments? You'll upgrade eventually. But that's not who Tobio's built this for.
Portability and Durability
This is the kit's biggest strength.
The walnut wood palette feels solid. We dropped it twice (not on purpose) and it came out fine, no cracks, no chips. That magnetic closure actually works, even when you throw it in a bag with your keys and phone rattling around.
Water brushes are durable and don't leak. We've had them in bags for weeks without spills.
Cotton paper handles water well without buckling too much. It's not thick as professional watercolor paper, but good enough for small sketches and studies.
Planes, trains, hiking trips, we dragged this kit everywhere and it held up.
Who It's Best For
After weeks testing, here's who we'd recommend this watercolor kit to:
- Total beginners wanting to try watercolor without investing in expensive supplies
- Travelers wanting creative outlet on the go
- Busy people with only 10-15 minutes for creative breaks
- Gift-givers looking for something thoughtful and unique
- Parents introducing kids to watercolor (though small size might be tricky for younger children)
Who it's NOT for:
- Professional artists needing archival-quality materials
- People preferring large-format painting (notebook is small by design)
- Anyone wanting full color range (palette is limited but functional)
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Size | Actually pocket-sized – we fit it in every jacket we tried |
| Setup Time | 30 seconds max, usually faster |
| Cleaning | Water brushes mean zero cup rinsing |
| Colors | Student-grade but bright, blend surprisingly well |
| Price | $35.99 right now |
| Best For | First-timers, people who travel, gift shopping |
| Guarantee | Full 60 days to decide if you like it |
The pros heavily outweigh cons for the target audience. If you're a beginner or casual hobbyist, limitations won't bother you. If you're comparing this to a $200 professional setup, you're missing the point.
Real Customer Reviews and Testimonials
Excellent 4.7 / 5
Tobio's has racked up over 4,660 reviews. Average sits at 4.7 out of 5 stars. Here's what actual buyers are saying:
These reviews highlight same themes we noticed: ease of use, portability, and how the kit lowers the barrier to starting.
Addressing Common Concerns
Some reviewers mentioned:
"The paints feel chalky" → This happens when you don't hydrate pigments enough. Use more water on your brush before picking up color. The digital guide covers this technique.
"The color range is limited" → True. The kit prioritizes portability over variety. You'll need to mix colors, which is actually a great way to learn color theory as a beginner.
"Shipping took over a week" → Standard delivery is 7-14 days. If you need it sooner, plan ahead or check for expedited options at checkout.
How Tobio's Watercolor Kit Compares to Alternatives
Here's how Tobio's stacks up against similar products:
| Feature | Tobio's | Amazon Dupes | Winsor & Newton Cotman Pocket Set |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $35.99 | $15–25 | $45–60 |
| Portability | Pocket-sized, clips together | Varies (often bulkier) | Compact but separate pieces |
| Setup Time | Under 30 seconds | 1–2 minutes | 1–2 minutes |
| Includes Water Brushes | Yes (4 brushes) | Rarely | No |
| Includes Paper | Yes (20 pages) | Sometimes | No |
| Digital Guide | Yes | No | No |
| Beginner-Friendly | Very | Moderate | Moderate |
| Customer Rating | 4.7/5 (4,660+ reviews) | 3.5–4/5 (varies) | 4.5/5 (200+ reviews) |
Bottom line:Tobio's gives beginners everything in one box at a fair price. Winsor & Newton's got better pigments if you're already experienced, but you're buying brushes and paper on top of that.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Tobio's Watercolor Kit good for kids?
Is Tobio's Watercolor Kit good for kids?
Depends how old they are. Kit's got small parts, so shoot for 8 years old minimum - kids who won't lose tiny brushes or try eating the paints.
What's the return policy?
What's the return policy?
Sixty days, full money back. Email info@tobioshop.com with your order number and they'll refund you, shipping included.
What's the return policy?
What's the return policy?
Sixty days, full money back. Email info@tobioshop.com with your order number and they'll refund you, shipping included.
Is the watercolor kit suitable for professional artists?
Is the watercolor kit suitable for professional artists?
Not as your main setup. Pigments are student-grade - fine for learning and casual work, but lacking the permanence pros need. That said, tons of professional artists grab it as a travel/sketching kit.
How many colors are in the kit?
How many colors are in the kit?
Twelve pre-loaded pigments. You'll mix to get more variety, which honestly teaches you color theory faster than buying 50 tubes.
Can I refill the paints?
Can I refill the paints?
Yep. Once you run out, refill the wells with any watercolor tube paint. Works with every major brand.
Does the kit include instructions for beginners?
Does the kit include instructions for beginners?
Yeah. They email you a digital guide after purchase - video tutorials on techniques, mixing, beginner projects, all that.
Final Verdict: Should You Buy Tobio's Watercolor Kit?
After weeks testing, here's the bottom line:
Tobio's Watercolor Kit is the easiest way to start painting if you've been putting it off because traditional supplies feel overwhelming.
It's not perfect. Pigments won't impress professional illustrators, and color range is limited. But for $35.99, you get everything needed to paint anywhere, anytime, without mess or stress of full setup.
The portability is unmatched. Setup takes seconds. Digital guide walks you through basics. And 60-day guarantee means zero risk trying it.
Who should buy it:
- Beginners wanting to try watercolor without big investment
- Travelers wanting creative outlet on the go
- Anyone saying "I wish I was more creative" but never starts
Who should skip it:
- Professional artists needing archival-quality materials
- People preferring large-format painting
Ready to stop thinking about painting and actually start? Kit's currently $34 (down from $64), and that 60-day guarantee means you've got nothing to lose.
